The K-pop ‘It Girl’: BLACKPINK’s JENNIE
With her visuals, talent, and trend-setting style, we’re here to tell you all about one of the undisputed ‘It Girls’ of K-pop: member of BLACKPINK and soloist, JENNIE.
Image: Odd Atelier official Instagram.
The ‘It Girl’ of each generation is a topic hotly debated by fans, often being the subject of fan-wars online. A K-pop ‘It Girl’ is well-regarded for her visuals, style, talent, and ability to set trends. However, while the title carries popularity and recognition, being an ‘It Girl’ also comes with intense scrutiny from netizens.
As an undisputed ‘It Girl’ of the third generation of K-pop, BLACKPINK’s main rapper JENNIE is a perfect example of this phenomenon. Exemplifying all the traits of an It Girl, as well as being the recipient of online hate throughout her career, Jennie continues to rise above and prove her impact on the K-pop industry.
Impact on Fashion
A major factor in being an ‘It Girl’ is setting trends, whether musically or through fashion, and JENNIE’s impact on fashion in K-pop is undeniable. Known for her impeccable style, many of JENNIE’s fashion choices have achieved virality.
Most notably, during promotions for her solo debut, “SOLO,” JENNIE wore glitter hair clips that immediately became a popular hairstyle trend among fans. Her iconic blonde money pieces seen in BLACKPINK’s “How You Like That” era is another example of JENNIE always being ahead of the style game.
JENNIE at Chanel’s Spring-Summer 2025 show. Image: Chanel official Instagram.
Affectionately nicknamed ‘Human Chanel’ by fans, it’s impossible to talk about JENNIE’s impact without mentioning her fashion endorsements and ambassadorships. Not only is she a long-time Global Brand Ambassador for Chanel, but she has also starred in campaigns for Calvin Klein and Jacquemus, having even walked the runway for the latter. She also has a collaborative collection of sunglasses and accessories with luxury eyewear brand Gentle Monster.
Scandals and Scrutiny
Unfortunately, it’s not all plain sailing for an ‘It Girl’. Being perceived as perfect is a tall order, and when an idol is inevitably human and makes mistakes, it can garner online hate. For example, JENNIE has come under fire for dating rumours with GOT7’s G-Dragon, EXO’s Kai and BTS’s V. While dating is a normal part of adult life, many netizens were not happy with the possibility of idol relationships.
JENNIE has also been accused of being ‘lazy’ by netizens, after videos of her performing on BLACKPINK’s Born Pink World Tour made some fans believe she wasn’t putting enough effort into her dancing. JENNIE addressed these rumours on Dua Lipa’s At Your Service podcast, saying: “I feel like I've disappointed my fans at some point of my life where it seemed like I wasn’t giving my best.”
Most recently, JENNIE received criticism after posting a YouTube video that included a clip of her vaping indoors, blowing the smoke into the face of her makeup artist. Fans were outraged by her perceived lack of manners, prompting OA Entertainment to issue an apology on her behalf.
Solo Success
Being an ‘It Girl’ in K-pop means gaining recognition as an individual outside of your group. JENNIE has achieved massive success as a solo artist, with the music video for “SOLO” holding one billion views on YouTube at the time of writing. She is also the most followed Korean on Instagram, highlighting just how many people look to JENNIE for inspiration.
JENNIE has also ventured into acting, appearing in a supporting role in HBO’s The Idol. While the show did receive criticism, JENNIE’s performance as Dyanne and her feature on hit single “One Of The Girls” alongside The Weeknd and Lily-Rose Depp made her a stand-out on the project.
To reintroduce herself away from BLACKPINK group activities, JENNIE founded ODD ATELIER, her own entertainment company and record label. She has made her long-awaited solo comeback with the single “Mantra” under OA Entertainment, a reminder of her ‘pretty girl’ status and independence.
It’s clear that even as the K-pop industry evolves and new groups debut, JENNIE’s star power will not be forgotten any time soon.
Edited by Isabel Miller.
